Storage and display box



Jan. 4, 1949. T/B. EPPs STORAGE'AND DISPLAY BOX 5A Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 14, 1945 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Jam 4, 1949. v T. B. EPPs 2,457,812

STORAGE AND DISPLAY BOX Filed June 14, 1945 5 sheetssheet- 2 vl2 L 26 A gm-mmm l5 Sheets-Sheet 3 T. B. EPPS `yam. 4, 1949.

STORAGE AND DISPLAY BOX Filed June 14, 1945 Jan. 4, 1949.

T. B. EPPS STORAGE AND DISPLAY BOX 5 SheetsQSheet 4 Filed June 14, 1945 Jam. 4, 1949.

T. B. E|= l=-sv STORAGE AND DISPLAY BOX` Filed June 14, 1945 5 sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE s'roRAGEf AND DISPLAY Box Thomas Byrd Epps, Boston, Mass. application rune 14, 1945 ,1sera1 No. 599,394"

invention. relates to storage and: display boxes such as are made from cardboard' and' other sheetmaterial and. it' has for' its: object' tof provide a box'V of the classf described` which will be* ofiattractivey and interesting' appearanceY and. construction. andr wliicl'rA will` hold and display to;A good advantagemerchandise orrotherV articles;

It isv4 als@ the object of' the invention tot provide a storage and display box'ofl strong:,.rigiii and din'able'` construction whichi. canbe adjusted` to=in close and' protesti its@ contents orf' to support'. the samev ini an. elevated position where itis fullyexposed' to View? and attractively displayed.;

Aiurther objectl of the invention. is tot provide a.I lbore` ofi the,v class. described whiclr canbe produced from. a: sirrgleA blank: ofi cardboard or other gsuitafble; sheeti material and whose partsf'will mutually' support andi reinforce each' other;

'Ilo these. ends I have'provi'ded certain improve'- nrents in. storage and display boxes as set' forth in the following description;v the several' `novel f'eatu're's'l` of. the invention being' particularly pointed? out and deinedA ini the: claimslat the close of; the descriptloni..

Inf the accompanying: drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plane view, partly` inisectio'n;

off4 the body of a. storage anddisplay boxembodying' onef form of myinvention.`

Figure 2 is a fronti elevation of thef box body shown; iir Fig.

Figure? 3ds asectionion li'ne 3-3- oil Fig.- 11 with the' addition of: a. cover which" is= shown. asz applied to. the'fbodya f l Figure'. 4: is a section similar: 'to Fig.. 3;:.b'ut with the covers:y removed.. and with'` thearticle-holding panel, hereinafter described, in its elevated po'- sition;

Eigune i'swasectionon line e-t'r oflFig. 2;

Figurez. isla section oniline. B-BfofiFigL 1f.

Figure 7 shows the one-piece blank of sheetama'- terial which is; convertible? into: the: box. body shown. in: Figss. L and 2..

Figure is5aperspectiverview showing a' portion ofthe boxsbody of Figs. 1 and 2?-in` partially con*- st'ruct'ed` condition Figure 9f`i`s` a top plani View; partly i'n section, ofi a: storage and display boxn embodyingfa; second form of theinventiont Figure'lllfi'sza section onzli'ne Ii'll-l'l) of Fig; 9.

Figurel'if issasection; partly 'broken away; taken orrthe' line l"I"-I If oiFi'g: 1'21.l

Figura 12lisa sebtiorron` line* IFEA-I2. of Figs. 9 and. Figure 13".l isa section like Fig-1 110i` but" showing the; cover, hereinafter described; in its: fully' 3 Claims.v (Cl. 20G-45.131)

2 opened position. anda theeasel, also described-later, inA its elevated. position;

Figure 1.4" is 'ar-section liker Fig. 10 but showing ther coverv irrits closed position;`

Figure 15'- is apersp'ective view showing; a portionz of. the box of: Fig. 9finzpartly constructed condition.

l Figure' 16 shows-V the one-piece blank of' sheet material.' which isA convertible intol the body' of the box shownzirr Iiigsi` 9` tok 14, inclusive.

'I'he body I0 of the box illustrated in Figs; 1` to 8, inclusiva. is producedz trom a single blank of sheet?l material like' thatlshown in Fig.' '7-' and to this body maybe telescopically fitted, if desired, aa. removable cover Irl (Fig. 3:) of ordinary construction..

l The-body |'0 comprises a rectangular.'1 horizontal bottom wall-panel? 121;. a relatively perpendicular back walll t3; two oppositely disposed spaced apart perpendicular box-like side' Walls i4, IA- which serve as buttressesfor thefb'ackwallf I3 with which they arefconne'cted thereby giving sturdiness and solidity to` the structure, and: which provide substantiallyt rigid reinforced si'de walls `that are not readily distorted or collapsed under ordinary ham dl'inggr i Between the'sider wallsr` 174i there'is provided an e'aselcomprising aY panel l5 that is hingedly c`0n`- nectedfatll (-Fig. 4f) with the front of the bottom wall panel Illy andv a prop-panel. |11 which isv hingedly connected as at I'8 to thelrear endV of panel l'5. easel`- ISL-41' isA provided as a support for the merchandiseorarticlev (not shown) that is `to bestored or displayed, saidmerchandise or article being fastened ins positionr upon the top side of panel.4 I 5-l bymeans of ribbons or. string (not shownlf thatV are.y engaged` with tangsy 39 formed: in!v said4 panel Hi-byslitting the same as shown in: Fig.. 1.. Or any-'other` suitable. fastening means may be employed/.l

While. the: goods or. merchandisev is; not on.V display-the easel. I5-l`Tmay be'fo'lded up and repose withini the-4 |borel asi shownin. Fig.. 3',` but when the goodsfor. merchandiselisto be. displayed the cover H is removed and the easel is adjusted'. into its elevated position@ shown in Fig; lev with the free end` of'. prop l1. resting within' the corner at the rearofl t'hel bo'dy the. panel I'5- then being heldin its elevatedtrearwardly inclined .position where the goods or merchandise is` completely` exposed.' to view-l fromf the'V frontl owing to.` the* absence of'. a fifont'wallwhicha would; if. present, .partlyf hide the same;` but` in'v any* event; distract4 thet attention 4andiSeriously detractzfrom the appearance'ot the assemblage: r a

As shown in Fig. 7 the bottom panel I2 is bordered at its opposite sides by bending creases I9, I9; at its rear by a bending crease 2'0, and at its front by three alined bending creases ZI, I6 and ZI, the crease I6 serving as the hinge I6 of Fig. 4.

Joining the panel I2 at the crease 20 is a flap 23 (Fig. 7) which is scored to provide two bending creases 24 and 25 which Mdivide `iiap 23 into three relatively parallel `rear wall panels 26, 21 and 28 which are of the same length as bottom panel I2, the intermediate panel 21 being formed near its opposite extremities with slots 29 (Figs." I

7 and 8) disposed perpendicularly relatively to the creases 24 and 25. At its opposite extremities bent rearwardly on crease 55, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 8, and its tang 58 is shoved into slot 29 so that it is frictionally held between the two rear wall panels 26 and 2l. Flap 43 is then bent downwardly on the crease 46 to place the panel 48 in position upon the top edges of panels 33, 56 and 51 after which panel 49 is bent downwardly on crease 45 into position alongside of panel 51 with itsl end ap 59 tucked under the .bottom edge of panel lilas will be clearlrom Figs.

l and 6. Thus fabricated each side wall I4 is of very substantial construction and serves to buttress Hthe rear wall I3 (Figs. 1 and 5), the component the panel 26 is provided with side wall flap extensions 30, 30 each of which isformed Vwith transverse bending creases 3I and 32 which divide said extension into a side wall panel 33 and -t' a small end nap or tang 34, the distance between creases 3| and 32 being approximately the same as the length of the proximatev crease I9 and the latter and crease 3l' being in alinement.

Joining the bottom wall panel I2 at the hinge crease I6 is an easel flap 35 which is formed with two spaced apart transverse bending creases IB and 31, the crease I8 serving as the hinge I8 of Figs. 3 and 4 and the two creases I8 and 31 providing the panels I5 and I1 which, together with a narrow panel 38, constitute the easel above referred to.

At opposite sides of the easel flap 35 two small side wall aps 40, 4U are provided which join the panel I2 at the creases 2I and which are themselves creased transversely near their extremities as at 4I to provide each with an end tang 42.

Joining the bottom wall panel I2 at the creases I9, I9 are two side wall aps 43, 43, each of which is divided by relatively parallel bending creases 44, 45 and 46 into three sidewall panels' 41, 48 and 49 and tang 5D. These two flaps 43 are separated from the proximate nap extension 33 by a slit 5I. Each side wall panel 41 is deflned by slit 5I, creases I9 and 46 and a third bending' crease 52 that is alined with the proximate crease 2|. Joining each panel 41 at the adjacent bending crease 52 is a side wall flap extension 53 which is divided transversely by two bending creases 54 and 55 to provide a relatively small wall panel 56, an intermediate side wall panel 51 and a tang 58 at the free end of panel 51.

In converting the blank of Fig. 7 into the box body of Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the rear wall panel 26 is first bent upwardly into a position where it is perpendicular to the bottom wall panel I2` and then, as shown in Fig. 8, the panel 21 is bent downwardly into position against the inner face of panel 26 with the panel 28 disposed at right angles thereto and ntted ilatwise against the top face of bottom wall panel I2.

The box-like side walls I4 (Figs. 1 and 2) are each then assembled as follows: After bending the tang 34 (Figs, 7 and 8) into position where it is at right angles to panel 33 the latter is bent on crease 31 forwardly into position where it is in register with crease I9 and its tang 34 is in register with crease 2I and then, asillustrated in Fig. 8, the small side wall panel 4I) is bent 11pwardly against tang 34 with its end tang 42 'bent inwardly into a horizontal position. Flap `43 is now bent upwardly on crease I9 which .brings its panel 41 against the outer face offpanel `33 after which the small front wall panel isibent laterally into position against the front face 'of the small panel or ap 40. Each panel l51 .is now parts thereof being securely interlocked without the use of adhesive. The use of adhesive may f also be dispensed with in the back wall structure.

The box illustrated in Figs. 9 to 16, inclusive,

' comprises a body that is produced from the single blank of sheet materia1 shown in Fig. 16 to which is attached a flexible easel-elevating link member 59 (Figs. 9, 10 and 13). l

- The body of this box comprises a bottom wall panel I2; a perpendicular back wall Iila (Figs. 9 and 15) and two oppositely disposed spaced apart perpendicular box-like side walls I4a which serve as buttresses for the back wall with which they are connected thereby togive sturdiness and solidity to the structure. f

Between the two side walls I4a there is provided an easel like that of Figs. 1 and 7 comprising a panel I5 that is hingedly connected at I6 (Figs. 10 and 16) with the front side of panel I2 and a prop panel I1 which is hingedly connected as at I8 to the rear end of panel I5. This easel I5-I1 is provided as a support for holding the merchandise or article (not shown) thatis to be displayed and it is produced from acomposite flap 35 which is similar to the flap 35 of Fig. 7 with the exception that a slot 69 is provided at its junction with panel I2.

As shown in Fig. 16 the bottom panel I2 is, like the panel I2 of Fig. 7, bordered at its yopposite sides by bending creases I9, I9; at its rear by a bending crease 20 and at its front by the bending hinge creases I6 and slot 60.

Joining the panel I2 of Fig. y1G at the crease 2D is a flap 23a which goes to make up the rear wall and cover of the box shown in Figs. 9 and 10. This flap is scored transversely to provide four bending creases 6I, 62, 63 and 64 which divide said ap into two rear wall panels 65 and 66 and three cover panels 61, 68 and 69, all iive of these panels being of approximately the same length as that of bottom panel I2. At its outer free end the flap 23a is made at its middle with atang 10 for insertion in the slot B0 when the cover occupies its closed position as 'shown in Fig. 14 a bending crease 1I .being provided at its junction with panel 69. l 'j At opposite sides of the easel flap 35 (Fig. 1,6) two narrow side wall flaps. 12 are provided which join .the panel I2 at creases 2Ia that arealined with the creases I6. Each iiap 12 is'creased trans-- versely at 13 and 14 to provide two panels 'I5 and I6 and a tang 11 at the outer end of the latter.

Joining the bottom wall panel I2 at the creases I9, I9 (Fig. 16) are two side wall flaps 43, 43 similar to the aps 43 of Fig. 7 in that each is divided by relatively vparallel bending creases 44, 45 and 46 into three side wall panels 41,4 49 and 49 land a tang 50. Joining each panel 41 at a bending crease 52 is a side wall flap extension 53 which i-s divided transversely by two bending creasesl54 and-.55 to provide a relatively small wall panel aimais vand 11) the slots 'I8 are brought linto positions opposite`v rela-tivelyy parallel slots 8l of panel 6E whereupon each'tang 80: isbent inwardly on a bending, creasel 82 (Fig. 16) and shovedu endwise through the proxim'ate'pair 'oft sliotfs 1j8 and 3i as shown in Figs. 11 :and 15 thereby locking togetherithetwoipanels'6riand'. 6!.

lAfter thus making up the rear wall Illa, it is` bent upwardly into a position where it is at `right angles to bottom panel i2 Vafter which each panel 15, (Figs. 151 `and 16) is bent upwardly onv crease Elia. and then panel 15 is bent,rearwardlyA on crease 13v with itstangY 11'bent downwardlyon cre-ase 1e and shoved into aV slot |82 provided at the top of rear wall lila where it occupies a position between panels 65 and 66 of the latter. There are two slots i82, zone near each end of crease El as shown in Fig. 16.

Each ap 43 is now bent upwardly `on :crease lil (Figs. 15 and 16) which brings its panel 41 against the outside of the bent flap which includes the panels 15-1E11 after which panel t is bent into position against panel 15 while panel 51 is bent rearwardly on crease 55 into position against the edges (of panels and 16 with its tang 58 shoved into Islot 19 where it is frictionally held in position between panels 65 and 56. After bending the panel 48 ydownwardly into position upon the top of panel 16 the panel 49 is bent downwardly into position alongside of panel 51 with its 'tang 59 shoved into position between the lower edge `of said Dane-l 51 `and bottom wall l2 as shown in Fig. 12.

The ilexible easel elevating link member 5S (Figs. 9, 1G, 13 and 14) is a strip or band of flexible sheet material `such as textile fabric whereof one end is cemented at 83 (Fig. 13) tothe prop il and the opposite end at 84 (Figs. 10 and 12) to the cover panel B8 immediately adjacent to the bending crease 63. The length of the intermediate free portion of link 59 is such that when easel |5--l1 occupies its elevated position and panel 6B is tted against fthe under side of bottom wall l2 as shown in Fig. 13, said link is taut and serves to retain prop I1 in lits easel :elevating position as shown. When this 'is the c-ase the -cover can be shifted from its closed position shown in Fig, 14 into the upright position shown in Fig. l0, for mere inspection Vofthe contents of the box, without disturbing the collapsed condition of the easel, the. latter being automatically adjusted into its elevated position only when and as the cover is swung on hinge crease E2 from the position shown in Fig. 1G into the position shown in Fig. 13.

In each above described embodiment of the invention I have proivded a box involving a new and advantageous method of displaying lthe contents thereof. With inost boxes heretofore provid-ed for merchandise the object l'ies flat lat the bottoni of the box and when displaying the same the merchant has .to stand :the box at an angle or provi-de a method for adjusting the article within the box `so that the public can see it. On the other hand when the lid of my new box is removed or swung int-o open position as the case may be, the front of the box is open providing unabstracted" visie@ lof the article# which is eithermanually or rautomatically tilted up .andi support'edi at an angleof approximately Li5 degrees by theveaserthus providing perfect display ollthe merchandise.

Beside the yarticleof merchandise appropriate advertising may be printed on the panel l5 on whichI 'the merchandiseI is fastened to. otherwise attract the-customer.

The box-like reinforced side walls i4 and Ma give` thesbox stur-di'nessv and solidity which wouldJ not otlflerwiseebe possible in cardboard or similiar materialvl from1 which boxes of this kind are usuallyconstructed. The=-boxlilse sides besides providing sturdy) appearancev also prevent the ends of the box: from distortion or collapsing.

Viherek the coverris connected' by the exibl'e.

li'riltl with the easel, inovability or motion is added:

totflie display, since when the lid is opened the easel' is automatically raised to proper display angle; This motion adds-to the customers interest as-the articlelis displayed.

In either case, whether the cover is attached to the box or not, this type of box provides an attractive take-home or gift box in which the purchaser may display the contents of the box to advantage, and further, he may use the contents of the box more readily when the box is placed upon a table or counter with the contents raised to display position.

What I claim is:

1. A box of the character described made from sheet material and having, in combination, a body comprising a bottom wall in the form of a right-angled paralellogram; a perpendicular rear wall; two spaced-apart box-like side walls at opposite sides of said bottom wall each of which is connected with the proximate side of said bottom wall and also with the proximate end of said rear wall; an adjustable easel disposed between said side walls comprising a panel that is hingedly connected at its one end with the front prop panel hingedly connected with said rstmentioned easel panel; an adjustable cover flap hingedly connected at its one end with said rear wall and providing a closure for the top and front of saidV body when occupying its closed position, and a flexible link connecting said prop panel and cover nap through which the latter acts when opened to adjust the prop panel into a position where it supports said hinged panel of the easel in an elevated position where it is fully exposed'to view from the front.

2. A box of the character described made from sheet material and having, in combination, a body comprising a bottom wall in the form of a right-angled parrallelogram; a perpendicular rear wall; two spaced-apart box-like side walls at opposite sides of said bottom wall each of lwhich is connected with the proximate side of said bottom wall and also with the proximate end of said rear wall; an adjustable easel disposed between said side walls comprising a panel that is hingedly connected at its one end with the front of said bottom wall and also comprising a prop panel hingedly connected with the opposite end of said first-mentioned easel panel, and an adjustable cover nap hingedly connected at its one end with said rear wall and providing a closure for the top and front of said body when occupying its closed position, said cover ilap being formed w with transverse bending creases which divide said flap into three panels including a panel to t against the outside of said rear 7 wall when the cover is closed and atwiseagainst the under side of said bottom wall when the cover occupies its fully open position, a top Wall lpanel that incloses said easel from above when the cover is closed while the easel is collapsed within the box and which ts flatwise against the outside of said bottom Wall when the cover occupies its fully open position, and a front wall panel which occupies a position in front of the collapsed easel when the cover is fully closed and which may be alined with said top Wall panel when the cover occupies its fully open position.

3. A box of the character described made from a single one-piece blank of sheet material that is formed with bending creases dening a bottom wall panel in the form of a right-angled parallelogram; a ap hingedly connected with the front boundary of said bottom Wall panel and formed with a transverse bending crease permitting said flap to be converted into an easel provided with a prop panel at the free end of said ap; a flap hingedly connected with the rear boundary of said bottom Wall panel and 8 adjustable into perpendicular relationship with said bottom Wall panel to provide a rear Wall, and two groups of aps connected with the opposite sides of said bottom Wall panel, the aps of each group being adjustable on bending creases formed therein into interlocked relationship to form a perpendicular box-like wall structure composed of a plurality of panels some of which are connected with the proximate end of said rear wall.

THOMAS BYRD EPPS.

REFERENCES 'CITED The vfollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,029,096 Wolf s June 11, 1912 1,182,809 Sonn May 9, 1916 1,691,781 Meyer Nov. 13, 1928 2,170,723 Marx Aug. 22, 1939 2,375,843 Gottlieb May 15, 1945 

